Elements for dispersing fragrance

ABSTRACT

A fragrance delivery element may be configured to generate one or more vortices as air flows therethrough. The fragrance delivery element may include one or more airflow apertures, each of which may be configured to receive airflow and convert the airflow to a vortex. As air flows through each airflow aperture and past the fragrance delivery element, fragrance is emitted into the air. Emission of the fragrance may occur without heating the fragrance delivery element or the fragrance. The creation of at least one vortex may extend the distance fragrance is thrown from the fragrance delivery element. Methods and systems for dispersing fragrance are also disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/328,701, filed on Jul. 11, 2014, titled ELEMENTS FOR DISPERSINGFRAGRANCE (“the '701 Application”), now U.S. Pat. No. 9,682,164, issuedon Jun. 20, 2017. This application is also a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/690,145, filed on Apr. 17, 2015,titled FRAGRANCE DELIVERY SYSTEM, DEVICES, AND METHODS (“the '145Application”), now U.S. Pat. No. 9,867,896, issued on Jan. 16, 2018. The'145 Application claims the benefit of priority to the Jun. 24, 2014filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/016,160,titled FRAGRANCE DELIVERY SYSTEM (“the '160 Provisional Application”),to the Apr. 18, 2014 filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/981,369, titled FRAGRANCE DELIVERY SYSTEM (“the '369 ProvisionalApplication”), and to the Apr. 17, 2014 filing date of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/981,013, titled FRAGRANCE DELIVERY SYSTEM(“the '013 Provisional Application”). The entire disclosure of each ofthe '701 Application, the '145 Application, the '160 ProvisionalApplication, the '369 Provisional Application, and the '013 ProvisionalApplication is hereby incorporated herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to apparatuses for dispersingfragrance and, more specifically, to apparatuses for dispersingfragrance without heat.

DISCLOSURE

In one aspect, this disclosure relates to fragrance delivery elements,from which fragrance may be dispersed without added heat. Such afragrance delivery element may comprise a body formed from a carrier,with fragrance dispersed throughout at least a portion of the carrier.The carrier may comprise a polymer. In a specific, but non-limitingembodiment, the polymer from which the body of a fragrance deliveryelement is formed may comprise ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). Anoil-based fragrance may be dispersed throughout a fragrance deliveryelement that comprises EVA. The fragrance may initially comprise aboutfive percent (5%) to about twenty percent (20%) of the weight of thefragrance delivery element.

A fragrance delivery element according to this disclosure may beconfigured to enable air to pass or flow therethrough, and to generateat least one vortex from the airflow. Accordingly, such a fragrancedelivery element may include a plurality of airflow apertures that areconfigured to interact with an airflow incident with the fragrancedelivery element in a manner that generates one or more vortices. Theairflow apertures formed through a fragrance delivery element may beconfigured to receive airflow from an airflow generating unit (e.g., afan, etc.) at one side (e.g., at a base side, etc.) of the fragrancedelivery element, and to convert that airflow into one or more vorticeson an opposite side (e.g., a top, etc.) of the fragrance deliveryelement. In a specific embodiment, each airflow aperture through thefragrance delivery element may be located and, optionally, bend along acircle that is concentric with the fragrance delivery element. In a morespecific embodiment, each airflow aperture may be twisted in a mannerthat provides the desired effect when air flows through that aperture,and collectively through all of the apertures of the fragrance deliveryelement. Even more specifically, all of the airflow apertures may beoriented in the same manner.

The arrangement of the airflow apertures relative to one another (e.g.,across the fragrance delivery element, etc.) may also be configured toprovide for airflow in a desired manner. As an example, the airflowapertures may be configured to provide one or more vortices that willoptimize or otherwise tailor the direction and/or distance thatfragrance may be thrown from the fragrance delivery element. In someembodiments, each airflow aperture may generate a vortex, which maytransport a fragrance captured in the airflow (i.e., fragrance emittedfrom the material of the body of the fragrance delivery element) agreater distance than the airflow would on its own, and with less of thefragrance being dispersed than the dispersal that would occur withoutthe vortex. In some embodiments, a plurality of airflow apertures maygenerate parallel vortices that circulate in the same direction. Thesevortices may combine to form a larger vortex.

A specific embodiment of fragrance delivery element according to thisdisclosure includes a body that has a shape that resembles a disk. Morespecifically, such a fragrance delivery element may include a raisedcentral area. A raised central area may place an increased quantity offragrance in the path of airflow from a fan or other airflow-generatingunit, or at a location where the airflow is strongest, or is mostconcentrated, which may optimize the rate at which fragrance is releasedfrom the fragrance delivery element. In some embodiments, the fragrancedelivery element may be shaped as a dome, with a flat base and a convextop surface that includes an exterior periphery adjacent to an exteriorperiphery of the base.

A fragrance delivery element may optionally include a positioningaperture, which may be configured to receive a positioning element thatprotrudes from a surface on which the fragrance delivery element is tobe positioned. In embodiments where the fragrance delivery element isconfigured as a dome, the positioning aperture may comprise a centralaperture that extends along a height of the dome. The central aperturemay be cylindrical in shape, and may define an interior periphery of thebase of the body, the top of the body and the remainder of the body. Insuch an embodiment, the fragrance delivery element may be configured asa halo.

In another aspect, this disclosure relates to systems for dispersingfragrance. Such a system may include a base, a unit for generatingairflow, such as a fan, associated with the base and a fragrancedelivery element configured to be carried by the base and to receiveairflow from the unit for generating airflow. The fragrance deliveryelement may be configured to receive airflow, emit fragrance into theairflow, and generate one or more vortices from the airflow.Transference of the fragrance from the fragrance delivery element to theairflow may be effected without heat. A system for dispersing fragrancemay include a decorative container for the fragrance delivery element,as well as an optional light for illuminating the fragrance deliveryelement.

Methods for dispersing fragrance are also disclosed. Such a methodincludes generating one or more fragrance-containing vortices in airflowthat delivers the fragrance to one or more intended locations.

Other aspects, as well as features and advantages of various aspects, ofthe disclosed subject matter will become apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art through consideration of the ensuing description, theaccompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of fragrance delivery elementaccording to this disclosure, which includes a plurality of airflowapertures that are oriented and configured to generate one or morevortices;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of fragrance delivery elementshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of fragrance deliveryelement shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of fragrance deliveryelement shown in FIG. 1, illustrating an embodiment of the orientationand configuration of an airflow aperture that is configured to receiveairflow from a rotary fan and to generate at least one vortex from thatairflow; and

FIG. 5 provides a cross-sectional representation of an embodiment of asystem for dispersing fragrance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 4 depict a specific, but non-limiting embodiment of afragrance delivery element 10 according to this disclosure. Thefragrance delivery element 10 includes a body 12 with a base 14 and atop surface 18. As shown in FIG. 2, the base 14 of the body 12 is flat,while the top surface 18 has a convex configuration that imparts thebody 12 with a dome-like configuration. More specifically, in theorientation of the body 12 depicted by FIG. 2, at its outer periphery19, the top surface 18 extends upwardly from the outer periphery 15 ofthe base 14, and then gradually extends in a more horizontal orientationtoward a center of the body 12.

As illustrated by FIGS. 1 through 4, a fragrance delivery element 10 mayalso include a positioning aperture 22. The positioning aperture 22 isdefined by interior peripheries 13, 16 and 20 of the body 12, base 14and top surface 18, respectively. In the depicted embodiment, thepositioning aperture 22 is located centrally and has a cylindricalshape. Of course, other locations and configurations of positioningapertures 22 are also within the scope of this disclosure.

A plurality of airflow apertures 30 are defined through the body 12 ofthe fragrance delivery element 10. The airflow apertures 30 may beconfigured to enable airflow incident with a first surface of the body12 (e.g., its base 14, etc.) to be communicated to another, secondsurface of the body 12 (e.g., its top surface 18, etc.). In addition, atleast one, some or even all of the airflow apertures 30 are oriented andconfigured to generate one or more vortices as air flows therethrough.

In the specific, but non-limiting embodiment depicted by FIGS. 1 through4, and with specific reference to FIG. 4, an airflow aperture 30 may beoriented at a non-perpendicular angle to the base 14 of the body 12. Inembodiments where the fragrance delivery element 10 includes a pluralityof airflow apertures 30, the airflow apertures 30 may be arranged insuch a way that each airflow aperture 30 receives air in substantiallythe same manner as at least one other airflow aperture 30. In theillustrated embodiment, which is configured to receive airflow from afan (not shown in FIGS. 1 through 4) with a blade that rotatesclockwise, the airflow apertures 30 are positioned around the body 12,and the orientation of each airflow aperture 30 is based on the locationof that airflow aperture 30 around the body 12. The airflow apertures 30may, as illustrated, be oriented at angles that, from the bottom 32 ofeach airflow aperture 30 to the top 34 of each airflow aperture 30,collectively extend in a counter-clockwise arrangement. Even morespecifically, each airflow aperture 30 may be oriented at a 45° angle tothe base 14 of the body 12 of the fragrance delivery element 10.

In some embodiments, each airflow aperture 30 has a cross-sectionalconfiguration that, taken transverse to a length or height of thatairflow aperture 30, is polygonal (e.g., the illustrated hexagonalcross-sectional configuration, other regular polygons, irregularpolygons, etc.). Of course, embodiments of airflow apertures 30 thathave circular cross-sectional configurations, other roundcross-sectional configurations and multi-sided cross-sectionalconfigurations with one or more curved sides are also within the scopeof this disclosure.

One or more of the airflow apertures 30 may also have a twistedconfiguration. The twisted configuration of an airflow aperture 30 maygenerate desired airflow patterns, such as vortices. In the depictedembodiment, each airflow aperture 30 is twisted, from the bottom 32 ofthat airflow aperture 30 to its top 34, in a counter-clockwisedirection.

Turning now to FIG. 5, an embodiment of a system 100 for dispersingfragrance is depicted. That system 100 includes a base 110 with a bottom112, top 116 and an interior 114 located between the bottom 112 and thetop 116. In addition, the system 100 includes at least one fragrancedelivery element 10. Optionally, the system 100 may also include adecorative container 140.

The bottom 112 of the base 110 is configured to be supported by asurface, such as a tabletop, a countertop, or the like. The interior 114of the base 110 carries a unit for generating airflow, such as a fan120, and at least some of the associated electronic circuitry and/orcomponentry associated with that unit (e.g., the fan 120, etc.), such asa power supply and wiring. Other electronic componentry associated withthe fan 120, such as a switch, a power port, etc., may also be carriedby the base 110, but be accessible from an exterior of the base 110. Thetop 116 of the base 110 may include one or more vents 118 through whichairflow generated by the fan 120 may pass. In addition, the top 116 ofthe base 110 may be configured to support a fragrance delivery element10.

In some embodiments, the base 110 may also include a light 130. At leastsome of the electronic circuitry and/or componentry associated with thelight 130 may be carried within the interior 114 of the base 110, whilethe light 130 may be visible from the top 116 of the base 110. The light130 may illuminate the fragrance delivery element 10 and/or a decorativecontainer 140 positioned over the base 110 and the fragrance deliveryelement 10 without heating the fragrance delivery element 10 or anyother element of the system 100. Without limitation, the light 130 maycomprise one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

As illustrated by FIG. 5, the light 130 may protrude from the top 116 ofthe base 110. A fragrance delivery element 10 that is configured for usewith such a base 110 may include a positioning aperture 22 (see FIGS. 1and 2) configured to receive a light 130 or any other positioningelement that protrudes from the top 116 of the base 110.

In various embodiments, a system 100 for dispersing fragrance may beconfigured to do so without applying heat to the fragrance deliveryelement 10. Accordingly, such a system 100 may consist essentially of aunit for generating airflow, such as a fan 120 and the base 110 thathouses the fan 120, and a fragrance delivery element 10. Such a systemmay non-essentially include an illumination element, such as the light130 and/or a decorative container 140. In some embodiments, a system 100may consist of the foregoing elements.

Although the foregoing disclosure provides many specifics, these shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of any of the appended claims,but merely as providing information pertinent to some specificembodiments that may fall within the scopes of the claims. Otherembodiments may be devised which lie within the scopes of the claims.Features from different embodiments may be employed in any combination.All additions, deletions and modifications, as disclosed herein, thatfall within the scopes of the claims are to be embraced by the claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A fragrance delivery element, comprising: a bodycomprising a polymer matrix impregnated with a fragrance, the bodyincluding a base and a top; and a plurality of apertures extendingthrough the body, from the base of the body to the top of the body,apertures of the plurality of apertures being oriented and arranged tocreate a vortex above the top of the body from air flowing from the baseof the body, through the apertures, and out of the top of the body. 2.The fragrance delivery element of claim 1, wherein each aperture of theplurality of apertures is oriented at a non-perpendicular angle relativeto the base of the body.
 3. The fragrance delivery element of claim 1,wherein all apertures of the plurality of apertures are oriented at asame angle relative to the base.
 4. The fragrance delivery element ofclaim 1, wherein each aperture of the plurality of apertures curves fromthe base of the body to the top of the body.
 5. The fragrance deliveryelement of claim 1, wherein each aperture of the plurality of aperturesis oriented in alignment with a circumference of at least one circle inconcentric alignment with the body.
 6. The fragrance delivery element ofclaim 1, wherein the base of the body is flat.
 7. The fragrance deliveryelement of claim 6, wherein the top of the body is curved.
 8. Thefragrance delivery element of claim 7, wherein the body has a domeshape.
 9. The fragrance delivery element of claim 8, further comprising:cylindrical aperture located at a center of the dome shape and extendingthrough a height of the dome shape, the cylindrical aperture impartingthe body with a halo configuration.
 10. A system for deliveringfragrance, comprising: a base including an upper surface; a fanassociated with the base, the fan configured to direct airflow in apredetermined rotational direction past the upper surface of the base;and a fragrance delivery element configured to be positioned on thebase, the fragrance delivery element including: a body comprising apolymer matrix impregnated with a fragrance, the body including a baseand a top; and a plurality of apertures extending through the body, fromthe base of the body to the top of the body, the body configured torelease the fragrance without added heat.
 11. The system of claim 10,wherein the plurality of apertures are collectively oriented andarranged to receive the airflow from the fan at the base of the body andto create a vortex above the top of the body.
 12. The system of claim11, wherein each aperture of the plurality of apertures is oriented at anon-perpendicular angle relative to the base of the body.
 13. The systemof claim 10, further comprising: a decorative container for thefragrance delivery element.
 14. The system of claim 13, furthercomprising: a light for illuminating the decorative container withoutheating the fragrance delivery element.
 15. The system of claim 14,wherein: at least a portion of the light protrudes from the base; andthe fragrance delivery element is configured to receive at least theportion of the light.
 16. A method for distributing fragrance,comprising: directing airflow into and through apertures in a body of afragrance delivery element; and an arrangement and orientation of theapertures generating a vortex from the airflow, the vortex includingfragrance emitted by the body of the fragrance delivery element.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, wherein generating the vortex comprises enhancing athrow of the fragrance.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein directingairflow comprises directing airflow at an ambient temperature throughthe apertures in the body of the fragrance delivery element.
 19. Themethod of claim 16, further comprising: orienting the fragrance deliveryelement in such a way that the apertures are aligned with a direction ofthe airflow.